Proofreading 3: Progress

Who is this course suitable for?

This course is the gateway to the SfEP's proofreading mentoring scheme. It is suitable for those who already have a good grounding in proofreading, and preferably some experience, who feel ready to advance to the next level. It is also suitable for proofreaders who are returning after a break, and wish to update, refresh or check their skills.

At a minimum, before tackling P3 you should be able to answer 'Yes' to the following questions.

Do you understand the role of a proofreader and what to look out for when proofreading a text?

Can you follow a client's brief and house style?

Do you have a good command of English usage, grammar and punctuation?

Can you mark corrections on paper and on screen, using the British Standard symbols and PDF commenting tools?

Do you have a basic working knowledge of Word?

Course description

This course guides you through more complex general and specialised material, including texts with illustrations, tables, notes and references. It considers strategies for dealing with layout problems such as overmatter and what to do when more than a conventional proofread is required. The varied exercises, covering public information to academic texts, provide plenty of scope for practice, including the opportunity to test your proofreading accuracy in the ‘zero tolerance’ challenge.

P3 is an assessed course. Passing the final assignment acts as part qualification for acceptance into the proofreading mentoring scheme. Two upgrade points are awarded for completing the course, and a further three for passing the final assignment.

What you should know after the course

After taking P3 you should be confident in your ability to proofread on paper or on screen, using BSI symbols and PDF tools. You should have the knowledge to tackle material that is not necessarily straightforward, and you should also have a good idea of where your proofreading skills – and weaknesses – lie.

Workshop course syllabus

Online course structure

Time allowed for access: 6 months

SfEP upgrade points: completion 2; pass 3

Approximate study time needed to complete the course: 20–25 hours

This is an assessed course. You will be assigned a tutor who will be available for up to 1 hour of support (usually by email), and the tutor will also mark and provide feedback on three assignments. The first two assignments are marked so that both you and your tutor can assess whether you are at about the right level for the course (if you are struggling, you can put the course 'on hold' and come back to it later, after more training or experience).

The three exercises in the middle of the course are self-assessed against model answers.

Your performance on the final assignment determines whether you have passed the course. When you have finished the course you can download and print a certificate that states either that you have 'Passed' the course or, if you are unlucky enough not to have passed, that you have 'Completed' it.